Rapunzel’s tower is a satellite. She can’t let down her hair—or her guard.

In this third book in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army.

Their best hope lies with Cress, who has been trapped on a satellite since childhood with only her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker—unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.

When a daring rescue goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing stop her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only ones who can._________________________________________________________________With each book I read in the Lunar Chronicles, I fall deeper in love with Marissa Meyer's characters and her storytelling. It's well documented in my letter to the author after I read Scarlet, that I had mixed feelings about Cinder but was completely hooked on the series by the end of book two. Cress is even better. Although Scarlet and Wolf remain my favorite pairing, this book is the most complex and exciting. I was on the edge of my seat for nearly the entire way through, riveted to these characters' stories and the twisting plot. Although we now have three main couples, plus secondaries and villains, Meyer has managed to make all of the characters feel present and vital, even when they are separated or at odds with each other. Even more than Cinder and Scarlet, Cress manages to balance several story lines without slowing down the plot. And possibly my most favorite aspect of this series is how Meyer continues to play with fairytale details in surprising ways, continually making her stories fresh and original.This time it's Cress and Thorne's
turn in the fairytale spotlight. And if you don't yet know what story they
come from, it's the one with the girl with the long hair. I really enjoyed
seeing details from Rapunzel in Cress, especially because this
fairytale is not quite as widely known as the previous two inspirations. With so many plots converging, Cress and Thorne are not the only characters or storyline in the spotlight. We meet a few new characters, finally glimpsing all of our major players. We also travel throughout earth, into space and onto Luna. One of my favorite parts of this series is the wonderful mix of sci-fi space elements, including satellites and space ships, with a variety of continents and cultures. In Cress, we're also seeing all the pieces of this story line up, getting a larger picture of this world and what these characters will be facing in the final book Winter. I can't wait. Despite the fact that these are fairytale characters - some with exciting 'extra' abilities, because of their Luna (alien) natures - they have real struggles and insecurities. They can be pretty quirky (or even odd) at times, and they are incredibly strong in some ways and vulnerable in others. It's an interesting juxtaposition that serves to make the characters relatable, and also creates many nail biting scenes. I'm very much enjoying the dynamic between all of them, and the ways Meyer forces different members of the 'team' to work together.Here's the thing, despite how much I adored this book and the Rapunzel storyline, Cress and Thorne are not my favorite couple. They don't seem evenly matched or like they have much if any common ground. I just didn't sense a lot of chemistry between them. I'm hoping this will change on the final book. However, surprisingly, none of this dragged down Cress for me. With fast paced, edge-of-your-seat action, at least one surprising revelation, strong original fairy-tale elements and space ships galore, Cress is a hit all the way through, once again proving Marissa Meyer's vast storytelling abilities.

59 comments:

It's disappointing that Cress and Thorne don't share the sizzling chemistry of Wolf and Scarlet. I loved Thorne, so I had high hopes for his romance, so I guess I should taper those expectations. I'm glad to see this book does, however, work towards the overarching plot very well. I know readers are crazy about this series - and I'm not one of them - but I will be reading this and am curious to see where the narrative goes. Plus, I can't help hoping for more world-building...soon! Lovely review, Lauren!

*squeak* My jealously flared when I saw people getting review copies of Cress and I just recently begged for a copy (though I'm certain I won't get it. *sigh* Waiting is the hardest part!). Even though on one hand, I'd like to read a story dedicated to each couple, I love how the storylines are all converging for the final, dramatic tale.

SO EXCITED FOR THIS BOOK LAUREN!!! I was initially very worried about Scarlet because I didn't want the addition of a new romance to take away from Cinder's story, but Marissa made it all work so beautifully. I'm so glad to know even with the addition of this third romantic pair, the story still flows well and never gets bogged down with the weight of all the different threads. I'm a little bummed you didn't feel the chemistry between Cress and Thorne, but that seems like a minor niggle and I just can't wait to get my hands on this one:)

Wait..WHAT!?!!! Cress is paired with Captain Thorne? BEST NEWS EVER!!!! I was so freaking excited for this book before, but now I need to find a way to get my hands on an ARC because I simply can't wait! Though it sucks a little that their chemistry wasn't up to par, but since I wasn't a fan of Cinder and the prince and still loved their book, I don't think I would have a problem with this one. The world is amazing in itself! Great review, Lauren!

This series is so very popular I know I'm missing out. I'll have to read this series soon. I like the fact that the author is able to make the re-tellings fresh and original. Love that the story wraps up and there's no love triangle! Yes! Great review, Lauren. :)

I was also hoping for more of a connection between Cress and Thorne. I thought Cress was a very sympathetic character, but she was just too sheltered and sweet for Thorne. But I am VERY excited about Winter -- what an intriguing glimpse we got of her!!!!Jen @ YA Romantics

Inside look into Lunar people, WOO!!!! Sad that the romance isn't up to par because I LOVED Thorne, but yes, hopefully it will get better. Although, it also makes me even more interested because you said it doesn't bring the story down because Meyer is that good. *happy dances*

I haven't read my copy yet -- soon, I promise -- but I was shipping Cinder and Thorne, too. :) I loved seeing a post from the author on how she keeps all the story arcs straight. I can imagine it would be difficult, especially with all the new characters she adds in each installment. Also, people don't really know the Rapunzel fairy tale? That was one of my favorites as a kid! I hope this book encourages more to check out the original story!

I wouldn't mind Thorne and Cress, but I'm actually sort of shipping Cinder/Thorne. He is absolutely my favorite part (with Scarlet, who didn't get enough time to shine) of this book. I agree, the more books I read, the more I fall in love with her writing-style :)

I read this but haven't reviewed it, and now I think I should just tell everyone to read yours instead of writing my own. You said everything that I have thought about this book - and this series! Cinder was only a so-so read for me, but I just fell in love with Scarlet. I agree that Scarlet/Wolf are my favorite pairing, but also that Cress took the story's complexity and depth to another level. I'm so very excited about this series, in a way I never anticipated I would be after finishing the first book. So glad I kept reading and can't wait to see how it all will end!

Awww! No chemistry between Cress and Thorne :( I want Thorne to have awesome chemistry with the girl he chooses, but that wouldn't ruin the book for me either. I can't wait to read! I love your review :)

Awww! No chemistry between Cress and Thorne :( I want Thorne to have awesome chemistry with the girl he chooses, but that wouldn't ruin the book for me either. I can't wait to read! I love your review :)

I was a little worried about the relationship between the suave Captain and the severely under-socialized Cress, but i am hoping that we get to see a bit of their own personalities help the other. Perhaps Cress will humble Thorne in some way, and he will in turn help her to integrate into being a funny, lovable awesome member of society!

I find it interesting to see what other people think of these books. Thanks for reviewing it. I'm disappointed to hear about Cress and Thorne, it was one of the highlights I was looking forward to. I hope there are other swoon-like moments though!

Thanks for the review! I am super excited for Cress! I'm a little disappointed about Cress and Thorne but I am still looking forward to reading the book nonetheless! I LOVE Marissa's writing and I love the Lunar Chronicles! So excited!!! <3

Awesome review! Kai and Cinder are my favorite pairing, but and really nervous as to how they are going to end up. And I am really excited to see Cress and Thorne together. I think they will make a good couple. I love that their aren't any love triangles in this series! I can't wait for all of the action in Cress also! Can't wait to see these girls kick some more ass! :)

I'm really excited for Cress (as I make this comment, we are almost at the twelve-day countdown). Also, taking a moment to give thanks for the continued lack of overplayed love triangles. Thanks for the review.

I just cannot wait for Cress to come out! I'm just sad that I'll have to wait a year for Winter after :( I love how Marissa Meyer manages to develop all her character and how she links together so many different things in the plot :) I love the twists on all the fairy tales that these stories are based off of, and I absolutely love how none of her characters are waiting for a prince to save them. They are independent and are definitely not damsels in distress.

I cannot wait for Cress! This was an excellent review. I like that you aren't afraid to say you don't like a relationship that most of us (ok, I, at least) are supporting. Not that most of us have read the book yet, but . . .

I feel as though I'm the only person who didn't love Scarlet as much as/more than Cinder. And that makes me sad. I do love the "Rapunzel" fairy tale though, and it's variants, even more so than "Cinderella" or "Little Red Riding Hood," so I'm hopeful that Cress will work out better for me. And I hope that the wait isn't too unbearable for you Lauren!

I'm so excited to read Cress! Rapunzel has always been one of my favorite fairy tales/folktales and it looks really good. Also, Thorne was one of my favorite characters in Scarlet, so I can't wait to see more of him :)

Not much chemistry between Cress and Thorne? Hmm...that is interesting. I wonder what the author's reasoning for their attraction was then. I guess the exotic, forbidden and dangerous on Thorne's part (how many guys get to date a Lunar who can't fry their brains?); and for Cress...I guess you could either use the "she's never met a guy before" excuse or tie it into some idealized version of a guy from a net drama. Maybe? Nice review!

Stinks that the chemistry wasn't there but then again it would be hard to top Wolf and Scarlet to me. I can't wait to read the book though. I love that this features a lot of the science and technology aspects. Great review, you've made me even more eager to read it.

Although I loved Cinder almost from the beginning, and enjoyed Scarlet just about as much, at times I also had trouble deciding how I felt about the story. I loved the idea of it and the way that she told it, but until the end of Scarlet, I wasn't "breathless" over it because it was still early enough in the series that the author could, well, ahem, ruin it. Thank goodness she did nothing of the sort.

I think it''ll be very interesting to see Cress and Throne together. I am downloading the audio of this book as soon as it's available and start tomorrow hopefully! Also, glad to know that even with all the additional characters everyone still has an important part to the story. That was one of the things I was worried about!

About Me

I’ve always been a reader. When I was younger, I read every single time I got into the car. Once I started driving, I had no idea how to get anywhere. I still take a book with me wherever I go – even if it’s just the kindle app on my phone – and read as much as I can (Don’t worry, I don’t read while driving!). When people ask me what I do for fun, I tell them: I don’t do crafts. I read.